Earlier this year, just for fun I shared some financial predictions for 2014. Here’s a recap of what I predicted and where things are at year-end.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average will finish the year at 16,700.
It opened the year around 16,441. It finished at 17,823.07. I was way off the mark here.
- The S&P/TSX Composite will finish the year at 14,200.
It opened the year around 13,594. It finished at 14,632.44.
- Our Canadian Dollar will finish the year at $0.90 compared to the US Dollar.
It opened the year around $0.94. It finished at $0.86.
- Fortis (FTS) will increase their dividend.
Well, back on February 6th Fortis increased its dividend to $0.32 per share starting March 1. On December 17th, 2014 they decided to increase their dividend again for the 2015 year, from $0.32 to $0.34 per share. If you want to own a company that pays a predictable dividend and increases their dividend every year, Fortis might be it.
- Telus (T) will increase their dividend.
In May 2014, Telus increased their dividend to $0.38 per share. This month they announced their dividend will be $0.40 per share payable in early January 2015. I predict there will be more dividend increases for Telus in 2015.
- Walmart (WMT:US) will increase their dividend.
Also back in late-February, Walmart bumped their dividend by 2%. The dividend is now $0.48 per share.
- AT&T (T:US) will increase their dividend.
In December 2013, AT&T increased their quarterly dividend by 2.2%. Like clockwork, AT&T raised their dividend again this winter, the 31st consecutive year of dividend growth, increasing the dividend to $0.47 per share.
- My Own Advisor will giveaway more stuff on this site.
Over the last few months I reviewed these books and thanks to the authors, raffled away:
- A hardcopy of The Empowered Investor and
- A hardcopy and ebook of The Value of Simple.
I intend to give more stuff away in 2015 so keep reading my blog and share it with family and friends.
Mark
My name is Mark Seed - the founder, editor and owner of My Own Advisor. As my own DIY financial advisor, I'm looking to start semi-retirement soon, sooner than most. Find out how, what I did, and what you can learn to tailor your own financial independence path. Join the newsletter read by thousands each day, always FREE.
2015 predictions
The prices of all stock indices will fluctuate up and down at random times, and at the end of the year, some will end higher and a few may end lower.
Most predictions about interest rates will still pan out to be wrong.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will continue to suck, and
MOA will continue to post great blogs.
I liked your prediction about interest rates. I mean really, who knows? We both know that answer!
I hope you are right about the Leafs, love the soap though. 🙂
As for the blogposts, I will continue to do my best!
I own all those dividend increasers. Fortis is underrated especially with their long track record. I guess boring predictable stocks dont make much news lol. Hopefully the TSX will have a strong year. I have mixed feelings with a weak CDN dollar but what can you do!
All the best for the new year!
Boring and predictable stocks don’t make great news, but they are certainly great for investors like me.
All the best in 2015 AG and stay in touch.
Mark
Glad to hear you will be trying your prognostication techniques again. Here are a couple you can have for free.
The Sens won’t win the Stanley cup in 2015 but the Oilers will get the #1 draft pick
Oil prices will rebound, and interest rates will double this year (to a massive 2.9%)
🙂
AW
I like your call on the Sens.
I hope for Oiler Nation and to save that team, they do get the #1 pick.
Oil prices will rebound eventually but I don’t see interest rates going up. Our government loves cheap debt too much 🙂
Mark,
Other then the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which I’m sure very few predicted those results for 2014 you did great. Are you planning on making predictions for 2015?
Heck ya. Why not? 🙂 Stay tuned!